'State of Decay' is promising, but needs polish (video game review)

You've got your fright-fests and gore buffets. There are character-driven stories and tales of despair. Few, however, take a nuts-and-bolts approach to the shambling apocalypse quite like "State of Decay."

This $20 Xbox 360 download from developer Undead Labs explores every nook and cranny of zombie survival, from first contact with the outbreak to scavenging for supplies and fortifying a safe house. It's a fascinating take on the often-overlooked, monotonous tasks that could mean the difference between life and death once society breaks down.

It's all the more disappointing, then, that glitches and haphazard gameplay hamstring a premise with such lofty potential.

Advertisement

Players start out as Marcus, an avid outdoorsman who returns from a fishing trip to find a sleepy town in chaos. He soon hooks up with a small group of survivors struggling to piece together what's causing this nightmare.

Even in these early moments, Undead Labs hammers home the notion that you are never safe. The world around you continuously evolves, with hordes roaming the streets and resources growing ever more scarce. Whether you're navigating in-game menus, exploring your surroundings or simply standing inside your home base, the shuffling abominations are never far away.

Step one is fortifying your home. Zombie attacks are relentless, but a watchtower and some boarded-up windows go a long way toward keeping your friends alive. Once the immediate threat is under control, it's time to explore.

Getting caught off-guard in a dimly lit, abandoned house is a recipe for disaster, but scavenging is the only way to secure precious items like food, ammunition and medicine. Once these buildings are cleared of threats, they can be transformed into outposts, providing a steady flow of provisions while keeping the area free from spawning zombies.

With enough materials, survivors can construct an infirmary, a workshop and other lifesaving additions. But stockpiles deplete daily, and once a resource is used, it's gone forever.

Players can assume control of any friendly member of the group. Each character has his or her own strengths. Combat specialists are idea scouts, while cooks, doctors and mechanics make life easier for everyone.

Absolutely no one is immune to death. While a handful of zombies pose little threat out in the open, every swing of that ax drains a character's stamina. Once you run low, you won't be able to sprint or attack for a short period, rendering you helpless to even ordinary foes.

Thus combat is a slow, calculated dance. Destroy a zombie or two, then walk away as the others give plodding chase. Never get caught in a corner.

Back home, survivors become afraid, angry or sad, and will flee the group unless their concerns are addressed. Sickness, too, takes a devastating toll.

Despite all that "State of Decay" has to offer, frustrations abound once the action's in full swing. Missions are dull and repetitive, and usually involve traveling long distances to search for survivors or supplies. Group members can be sent to gather resources, and certain objectives partner the player up with other characters, but there's no way to take a buddy to watch your back.

I encountered glitches ranging from goofy graphical errors, like invisible weapons, to a serious bug that erroneously detects nearby infestations, leading to a massive loss of morale and more survivors going AWOL. While I was sneaking, I saw one group member run headfirst into a horde. Another shot a propane tank during combat and blew himself up.

There are plenty of flaws, but "State of Decay" still puts a refreshing spin on a familiar topic. With a bit of polish and some fixes, it could have been even better.

Undead Labs is on the right track when it comes to crafting a memorable end for humanity.